these two friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these two friends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific pair of friends in a conversation or narrative. Example: "These two friends have been inseparable since childhood, always supporting each other through thick and thin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"I'm just doing a summer gig with these two friends of mine.

The New York Times

These two friends are quite aware of their place in their neighborhood's transformation.

The New York Times

Talking about music is like dancing about architecture, it's often said, but what joy to watch these two friends dance.

The Guardian - Books

But this is a story that started when these two friends first met as juniors when they were 11 or 12. Djokovic remembers this of Murray: "He had a lot of hair, a lot of curly hair.

The Guardian - Sport

With careful planning and a dose of civil behavior among those involved, I'm sure you can help these two friends avoid any uncomfortable moments or soap-opera drama while being with you at your wedding.

The New York Times

The film follows these two friends at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival as they try to find a buyer for a sexually explosive movie set near the end of the war in Iraq.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Way back when, these three friends attended Manhattan public schools -- Julia Richman High, Public School 165, Wadleigh High.

The New York Times

Through circumstances you would rather not hear about, these four friends — representative New Yorkers — wind up in the jungle of Madagascar.

The New Yorker

We feel the threads of emotion being pulled among these three friends, one of whom is going to beat out the other two.

The New Yorker

She says she was "very sad" when these "three friends and colleagues" announced that they were leaving the party this morning.

BBC

These three friends started this company back in 2008, paying themselves founders salaries and resisting temptations to sell or take money at an earlier stage.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In storytelling, use ""these two friends"" to emphasize the bond between characters, especially when contrasting their actions or decisions.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of ""these two friends"" within a short span of text. Vary your language by using pronouns or descriptive terms to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these two friends" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a specific pair of individuals who share a bond of friendship. It commonly serves as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these two friends" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a specific pair of individuals who share a friendship. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As seen in the examples and authoritative sources, such as The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC, this phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, and it also surfaces in scientific and general web content. To avoid overuse, consider variations like "this pair of companions" or referring to them by name. When using "these two friends", make sure it clearly identifies the individuals in question, and avoid repetitive use within a short passage to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned pair of friends

Replaces "these two" with a more formal phrasing.

the said pair of friends

Replaces "these two" with a legalistic/formal phrasing.

this pair of companions

Substitutes "friends" with "companions", implying a closer relationship.

the aforementioned buddies

Uses "buddies" instead of "friends", suggesting a more casual tone.

this couple of pals

Replaces "friends" with "pals", indicating an informal connection.

the two acquaintances

Employs "acquaintances" rather than "friends", implying a less intimate association.

the pair in question

Refers to the pair of friends in a narrative or investigation context.

this duo of comrades

Replaces "friends" with "comrades", suggesting a shared activity or purpose.

the two allies

Uses "allies" instead of "friends", indicating a supportive relationship.

these two individuals

Offers a more generic substitute, replacing "friends" with "individuals".

FAQs

How can I use "these two friends" in a sentence?

You can use "these two friends" to refer to a specific pair of friends you've already introduced or are about to introduce, for example, "These two friends decided to start a business together.

What are some alternatives to "these two friends"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "this pair of companions", "the aforementioned buddies", or simply refer to them by their names.

Is it grammatically correct to say "these two friend"?

No, it is not. Since you are referring to two friends, the noun "friend" should be pluralized as "friends". The correct phrase is "these two friends".

When should I use "these two friends" instead of "those two friends"?

"These two friends" is appropriate when referring to friends who are nearby or have just been mentioned. "Those two friends" is better when referring to friends who are further away or were mentioned earlier in the conversation.